There were twa sisters sat in a bower;
Binnorie, O Binnorie
There came a knight to be their wooer.
By the bonny mill-dams of Binnorie
He courted the eldest with glove and ring,
Binnorie, O Binnorie
But he lo'ed the youngest aboon a' thing.
By the bonny mill-dams of Binnorie
He courted the eldest with broach and knife,
Binnorie, O Binnorie
But he lo'ed the youngest aboon his life.
By the bonny mill-dams of Binnorie
The eldest she was vex-ed sair,
Binnorie, O Binnorie
And sore envied her sister fair.
By the bonny mill-dams of Binnorie
The eldest said to the youngest ane,
Binnorie, O Binnorie
Go and see our father's ships come in
By the bonny mill-dams of Binnorie
She's ta'en her by her lily hand,
Binnorie, O Binnorie
And led her down to the river strand.
By the bonny mill-dams of Binnorie
The youngest stood upon a stane,
Binnorie, O Binnorie
The eldest came and pushed her in.
By the bonny mill-dams of Binnorie
'O sister, sister, reach your hand,
Binnorie, O Binnorie
And ye shall be heir o' half my land.'
By the bonny mill-dams of Binnorie
'O sister, I'll not reach my hand,
Binnorie, O Binnorie
And I'll be heir of all your land.'
By the bonny mill-dams of Binnorie
'O sister, reach me but your glove,
Binnorie, O Binnorie
And sweet William shall be your love.'
By the bonny mill-dams of Binnorie
'Sink on, nor hope for hand or glove,
Binnorie, O Binnorie
Sweet William shall better be my love.'
By the bonny mill-dams of Binnorie
Sometimes she sunk, and sometimes she swam,
Binnorie, O Binnorie
Until she came to the miller's dam.
By the bonny mill-dams of Binnorie
The miller's daughter was baking bread
Binnorie, O Binnorie
And gave her water as she had need.
By the bonny mill-dams of Binnorie
'O father, father, draw your dam,
Binnorie, O Binnorie
There's either a mermaid or a milk-white swan.'
By the bonny mill-dams of Binnorie
The miller hasted and drew his dam,
Binnorie, O Binnorie
And there he found a drowned woman.
By the bonny mill-dams of Binnorie
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